China’s 240-Hour Transit Policy Explained

China’s 240-Hour Transit Without Visa Policy: A Comprehensive Guide (2026 Latest Edition)

China’s 240-hour transit without visa policy has been comprehensively optimized and implemented since December 17, 2024, extending the original 72-hour and 144-hour transit without visa policies to a unified 240 hours (10 days). The applicable ports have been expanded to 65 open ports in 24 provinces, and the stay area covers 24 provinces (regions, municipalities). This is a core convenience policy for foreign travelers transiting through China for short stays. This article, in conjunction with the latest regulations from the National Immigration Administration, provides a complete overview of the eligibility requirements, list of countries, prohibited situations, and visa-free stacking rules, ensuring authoritative and comprehensive information.

I. Core Eligibility Requirements (All Must Be Met)

1. Nationality Requirement: Only citizens of 55 designated countries holding valid passports or other international travel documents with at least 3 months of validity remaining;
2. Itinerary Requirement: Holding a connecting ticket with confirmed dates and seats within 240 hours, transiting through China to a third country/region; no round trips within China;
3. Port Requirement: Entering and exiting through one of the 65 designated open ports, including airports, seaports, and land ports; non-designated ports are not applicable;
4. Stay Requirement: The duration of stay is calculated from midnight of the day following entry, with a maximum of 10 days; overstaying is not permitted;
5. Activity Requirement: Limited to tourism, business, visiting relatives, and general visits; activities requiring a visa, such as work, study, and news reporting, are prohibited;
6. Procedure Requirement: Fill out the arrival card and undergo border inspection; no prior visa application is required.

II. Complete List of 55 Eligible Countries

• 40 European Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway;
• 6 American Countries: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile;
• 2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand;
• 7 Asian Countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia.

III. Countries Not Eligible for 240-Hour Transit Without Visa

All countries/regions except the 55 countries listed above are not eligible for this policy, including:

1. Asia: India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.;
2. Africa: All countries (South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, etc.);
3. Europe: European countries not listed among the 55;
4. Americas: Countries not listed, such as Cuba and Venezuela;
5. Oceania: Pacific island nations other than Australia and New Zealand.
   Travelers from the above countries need to obtain a transit visa in advance when transiting through China, or they can only enjoy the 24-hour port transit without visa (without leaving the designated port area).

IV. Stacking Visa-Free Policies: Direct Visa-Free Entry Without Transit

Most countries among the 55 also enjoy China’s unilateral visa-free/mutual visa-exemption policy, allowing visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days without needing to rely on the 240-hour transit policy:

1. 9 countries are only eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption.
   These 9 countries are: Czech Republic, Lithuania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Belarus, Ukraine, United States, and Indonesia.
   Citizens of the above countries must provide a confirmed connecting flight ticket to a third country or region within 10 days when entering China to qualify for the transit visa exemption.

V. Prohibited Situations (Will Be Denied Even If Nationality is Eligible)

1. No confirmed connecting itinerary, entering for a domestic destination, or overstaying;
2. Engaging in prohibited activities such as work, study, news reporting, or religious proselytizing;
3. Expired or fraudulent documents, or a history of negative entry records;
4. Other situations deemed by border inspection as not permitted for entry.

VI. Core Advantages and Precautions of the Policy

1. Port Coverage: Includes major ports such as Beijing Capital/Daxing Airport, Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail West Kowloon Station, covering air, sea, and land transport;
2. Convenient Stay: Free movement within 24 provinces, allowing for inter-city travel and business negotiations to meet short-term itinerary needs;
3. No Additional Fees: Visa-free entry incurs no processing fees and the procedure is simple;
4. Consequences of Overstaying: Overstaying will result in penalties and affect future entry into China.

In summary, the 240-hour transit without visa policy is an efficient option for travelers from 55 countries transiting through China, while countries that also enjoy direct visa-free policies can easily enter without transit. Check your nationality, itinerary, and port of entry before traveling to enjoy China’s most convenient entry policies.